A blog of the Missouri Department of Agriculture

April 15, 2014

Meet the 2014 Missouri Agribusiness Academy Class!

Each year, the Missouri Department of Agriculture gives 30 high school students from throughout Missouri the opportunity to explore careers in agriculture through the Missouri Agribusiness Academy – a competitive membership for sophomores interested in pursuing agriculture-related college degrees and careers. MAbA is a youth leadership program focused on career exploration in the fields of agribusiness, government and production agriculture.

Since 1988, the Missouri Agribusiness Academy has awarded more than 780 academy memberships through a competitive application and interview process. To be eligible for the Agribusiness Academy, students must come from a farming family or be an active member of the National FFA Organization or 4-H.

This year, the students selected have the opportunity to learn about a variety of careers in agriculture in central and northwestern Missouri June 2-6. The group will spend the first week of June visiting the University of Missouri in Columbia, Warm Springs Ranch in Boonville, Trans Ova Genetics in Chillicothe, Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, and North Missouri Produce Auction in Jamesport. They will also visit Ameri-Pac, St. Joseph Stockyards, Eagle Communications and Lifeline Foods, all in St. Joseph. The students will end their week with a graduation ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City.